Gi Joe Down Time Reloaded (Closed)

[guyloveshotstories]

We seemed to have condemned those in the PIT to possible death, but we had other agents out in Vegas and we were not ordered to scrub our mission and with comms down we had no choice but we braced ourselves. The city was looming closer and it was bright with thousands upon thousands of businesses, casinos and others making it so bright that I couldn't look at it directly. It was beautiful to look at but we were on mission and now determined to get it over with as quickly as possible. Snake was looking at his watch waiting for another message from Sam and Scarlett was tense as she saw the tower looming up front.

"Come out!" Storm Shadow demanded, "You are in no place to negotiate" he sneered knowing that he held all the cards. When he saw Sam slip out of the closet and not holding a weapon he still didn't sheath his sword but knew that she was important. "You hide in Snake Eye's room. You hide in his closet. You must be someone of importance to him. I know that traitor Snake has no family, so tell me, young one, who are you?" taking his razor sharp blade and aiming it towards Sam, "And I want a straight answer, or i'll decorate the walls with your blood."

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

The city was looming closer and it was brightly lit with thousands upon thousands of businesses, casinos, clubs, etc. It was beautiful to look at but they were on a mission and they were now determined to get it over with as quickly as possible. Snake was looking at his watch. Continuing to watch the feed from Sam's wrists communication camera. "Come out!" He heard Storm Shadow demanded. "You are in no place to negotiate." Storm Shadow sneered. Snake knew that he held all the cards.

Storm Shadow still had his sword pointed at me despite me being unarmed. "You hide in Snake Eye's room. You hide in his closet. You must be someone of importance to him." He seemed to say as if in thought about what to do next. "I know that traitor Snake has no family, so tell me, young one, who are you?!" He growled, taking his razor sharp blade and aiming it towards me. "And I want a straight answer, or I'll decorate the walls with your blood." I gulped and gazed fearfully at the sword before looking to him.
"My name is Sam Brady. I'm a Joe. I specialize in the Tech department. Hacking systems, encoding fire walls, debugging things....I-I'm a friend of Snake's. I asked him before he left if I could stay in his room to rest since it was dark and quiet and would help me rest." I answered truthfully. No since in lying with my life being threatened.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Storm Shadow thought for a second as his eyes looked Sam over. Her arm was in a cast and she was scared, just as he wanted her to be. With her scared then he knew that he could manipulate her to do his will. "A friend?" raising an eyebrow, "Snake wouldn't let just anyone be inside of his room. You must mean more to him than just a friend. I was his sword brother and he wouldn't let me be that close. You are now my prisoner. You will accompany me. Resist or try to run and I will kill you where you stand," taking several steps closer with his blade still aimed at her, "Do you understand me?"

At the same time several Vipers had stormed into the control room of the PIT and gunned down those inside and took control of the overhead hatch that opened up to the cold desert sky. "Sir, we have control," one Viper sent to Storm Shadow. "No sign of Snake Eyes."

A bit disappointed Storm Shadow replied, "Rally at the ramp and find transport for our escape."

"Yes, sir"

If Storm Shadow couldn't have the ninja then he will make Snake Eyes come for him. Pointing towards the door Storm roared, "Move!"

All around the PIT there was a flurry of contacts as Joes rallied to fight the Vipers. Dial Tone, one of Sam's co-workers in the tech department, found herself taking up a pistol and fighting to take back the control room. The net was in chaos with people calling for one another and reporting people down and where Vipers were.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

"A friend?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. "Snake wouldn't let just anyone be inside of his room. You must mean more to him than just a friend." He mused. My cheeks warmed. He had to be lying. We.were friends and teammates. But did I mean more than that to him? We're my secret feelings returned?
"No...youre wrong. I'm just a friend..." I said. Sounding a little sad, as I knew Snake was watching and listening on his end.
"I was his sword brother and he wouldn't let me be that close."
"Shouldn't have attempted to kill him...Or killed the only father figure he had..." I muttered, much like my smart alec self would. Not that Storm Shadow appreciated it.
"You are now my prisoner. You will accompany me. Resist or try to run and I will kill you where you stand!" He threatened, taking several steps closer with his blade still aimed at me. "Do you understand me?" I nodded and held my breath.
"Sir, we have control," one Viper suddenly sent to Storm Shadow over our intercoms. "No sign of Snake Eyes." I knew that if they were using our intercoms....then the PIT had no way of calling for help...and the team had no way of calling us. And worse yet...No! I didn't want to think of the ones we have already lost now. Storm Shadow seemed disappointed with this news. But I felt grateful.
"Rally at the ramp and find transport for our escape."
"Yes, sir." Grabbing free arm, Storm Shadow pushed me in front of him and pointed towards the door.
"Move!" He roared.

So here I marched in front of him. My free hand resting lightly on my broken arm to show the team the destruction of the PIT. As we passed the Tech Department I saw Dial Tone take a stand to regain control of the room. What I didn't see, as I started to turn away, was that the gun shot that brought her down hit her shoulder. All I saw was her go down and I thought her dead. Eyes wide, I started screaming for her. Knowing my distressed screams would be heard on Snakes end through the camera. As the Vipers grabbed me and dragged me along, my wrist communication would fall free to the floor and all that would be seen next would be me getting dragged off. Screaming for Dial Tone and even for Snake.

On the plane, Scarlett would look away. Her fists clenched tight in her lap. "Damn it..."
"....."
"I don't feel right...."
"Let's make this quick..."

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Storm Shadow and several Viper gathered on the same elevator that brought Lennox down earlier. They had taken a helicopter and were prepping it for take off but the fight was not yet over. Inside the control room the ipers were now trying to destroy the equipment to prevent the Joes from using it but the entrance burst open from a satchel charge and in came the Joes including the wounded Dial Tone and gunned them down.

"Get onboard!" Storm Shadow instructed what was left of his followers including his prisoner as the rotor blades began to spin and they started to gain lift.

Snack and Scarlett were seething in rage hearing all of that when the tower was right below they leapt off ready to kill everyone throwing aside their Rules of Engagement thinking all Cobra people were evil. When I stepped off to join them we all rushed for the roof access door and found it locked and Duke threw his entire body into it and knocked it off its hinges.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

With a sad and heavy heart, I boarded onto the helicopter and sadly watched my home fade away as tears streamed down my face. "Heartless monsters....all of you..." I muttered low enough that I was assured I couldn't be heard. I didn't know who/how many would be alive or dead after this. And I was sure I didn't want to know either. I couldn't afford to think that way right now. I had a broken arm and had no weapon. I had to focus on surviving. At least until Snake came for me. He would come for me? Wouldn't he? Was Storm Shadow right about what he had said I meant to Snake?

Meanwhile on the team's mission, rules and protocols were thrown aside to hurry this along. No viper were spared from the wrath of the Joe's. Their base and home had been attacked and their friend taken. Countless were sure to be dead or injured. Burials were never fun to attend and there were going to be multiple of them for the team. All the team could focus on, beside their goal, was to hurry back to the PIT and track down where Sam was taken.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Inside their appropriated helicopter Storm Shadow pulled out a SAT phone and used a programmed number, "Baroness," he began, "I have the honor to report the mission was a success."

An Austrian accented woman responded, "Good, Storm Shadow. With their base disabled we can push forward with our plans without any more interference from those Joes. Cobra Commander will be pleased where so many others have failed."

"It was rather simple, but too much for someone like Zartan," Storm Shadow replied as he lifted his eyes over at Sam. He didn't make any mention of a prisoner to the woman or any thought of their losses. To them, losses didn't matter. The death of one viper or dozens was just trash to those that didn't value lives.

"We are heading to our base," Storm Shadow replied, "Meet us there with the money," before turning off the phone. He then said to Sam, "I know that soon Snake will come for you, as he always would, but I hope for your sake he is better trained than I am," then smirked as he settled back into his seat, "though he could never beat me with the blade," as he placed his unsheathed katana across his lap.

At the tower we were going a mile a minute tearing down the halls going for the servers. We would've observed silence but now there was no time. Snake disappeared and soon the building was in darkness, "Snake cut the power," Duke replied.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

"Snake cut the power."
"Man did like to work in the dark."
"Is it working in the dark because it aids to his advantage? Or is it him taking his anger out over Sam?" Scarlett shrugged her shoulders but kept working to complete their objective.
"Lets just get this done! The sooner we do this! The sooner we find Sam and get her back."

I glared at him and looked away. My hand resting on my broken arm. I didn't doubt that Snake would come for me. The whole team would come for me. This was sick. Using me for bait. And all just to lure in Snake? For what it was worth, I hoped Snake beat Storm Shadow. Again. I could have sworn we had killed him last time. "How did you survive?!" I asked, suddenly. Well if I was asking questions... "And how did you get Anna back?!"

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"That is a story for another day," Storm replied, "As for....Baroness," speaking with a distinct hiss in his voice, "she was freed from her bonds by our master of disguise Zartan," before waving his hand, "she paid me a lot of money to attack your precious base, but I told her that I would've done it for free if I had five minutes alone with that traitor Snake Eyes," he spoke as he continued to stroke the flat of his sword. "All that matters now is when Snake will come for you. And I know he will." The helicopter was heading towards the Colorado border and the temperature was starting to drop. The pilot called out that they were coming in for a landing at a clearing in a forest and waiting for them were several jeeps with more vipers clad in winter gear.

"Fifth floor!" Rip called out as he burst through the door from the stairwell. As he went a technician was standing in his way only to be knocked down and then stepped on by several heavy boots. "They're up ahead and to the right!"

"I got them!" Duke replied as he saw a large door closing. He charged for it and threw his body into it knocking the doors open and tumbling in, rolling with the flow and standing up in front of another terrified technician that had been trying to work in the black out. Behind him were eight SUV sized servers that were still humming on back up power. "Prep the charges and blow this pop stand!"

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

Breaker continued to work to try and give the team some lights as he focused on keeping security systems down from in the van. Scarlett was taking care of any extras heading Duke's way. Rip soon met up with him and prepped the charges. Placing them where they need be he nods. "Charges set!"
"Let's roll!" With everything taken care of, there was nothing left to do but get back to Heavy Duty and Breaker while making sure everyone was accounted for before the charges went off. The count down had already begun.

I glared at him and turned back around. I could see familiar sights of Colorado. I'd only been here. During the nicer seasons with friends for vacations. Our little "get away from parents" sort of trip. I had good memories in this state. But now I was making a bad one. This was going to be something likely to leave me paranoid for weeks at best...Months at the latest. No doubt I would be afraid to sleep too. Fearing that I would only wake up and find myself back with these guys. A chill swept over my body as we descended and I shivered. I could see Jeeps and more Vipers. "I hope Snake kills you...." I murmured once we landed. "You won't get away with what you've done!"

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Storm Shadow heard her murmur and replied, "We'll see," as the helicopter touched down and the personnel onboard disembarked. Sam was directed towards one of the awaiting jeeps where one viper threw a winter jacket over her shoulders to stave off hypothermia and told to get in the back and seated with and around her were five vipers as Storm Shadow boarded another jeep at the head of the convoy and the helicopter was left were it was. No sense in blowing it up and give them away so easily.

As the count down began we all hustled out. It was easier going down than going back up the stairs and we were flying with each of us about to stumble over those in front as we kept running. Breaker and Heavy Duty were watching the show as they pulled up their unmarked van in the loading dock of the building and when our group came running out Breaker slid the door open to take us in and we all jumped onboard as Breaker counted our heads. "All onboard!" he replied and Heavy Duty slammed on the accelerator and we jolted out of there.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

With everyone accounted for, Scarlett looked out the back window to watch the place explode. Not a single survived if they were inside. Anyone who does...is just lucky or innocent. Turning back around, Scarlett, gripped Duke and Rip's shoulders as she looked to everyone. "Let's head home and save Sam." Just mentioning her friend made her all the more anxious to get back to the PIT and find a minute alone in the girls bunks to be emotional. But speaking of emotional....She would look over her shoulder to Snake. Wondering how he was handling it. Wondering what he was feeling. Was he worried over Sam? Did he fear for her? Was he blaming himself or thinking of ways to kill Storm Shadow for good? She wished she knew. No one, not Storm Shadow and not her, was as close to Snake...or even as precious to him...like she knew Sam was. "We'll get her back, Snake...I promise."

Flinching when the jacket was thrown at me, I heave a sigh and put it on. Happier for the warmth at least. I never had to worry about being cold or too hot. The PIT was always kept at a temperature that was just right for everyone. And even then we were aloud to change temperatures of certain rooms. Like the Gym...or the Hologram room after hours....our bunks...it would always return to default settings after lights out anyways. But now here on sat with Vipers to every side of me and Storm Shadow in the jeep some ways ahead. I just wanted to go back to the PIT.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

The road was long, narrow and winding in the thick, snow covered forest and they were running with no lights on. They went for several miles and took an off road towards a small cabin sitting in the open. At the moment it was dark but when the jeeps came to a halt Storm Shadow and the others stepped out and holding out a hand the white ninja summoned Sam to follow him inside the cabin and the vipers were ordered to set up a perimeter around the cabin. Opening the door for the cabin with a simple slice of his blade Storm Shadow stepped inside and ordered Sam to find a seat, "Make yourself at home," even though it wasn't his home to begin with, but this place is very isolated. Going to the kitchen table the ninja set down his SAT phone. He wasn't cold despite the temperature, he was accustomed to the extreme climates that he didn't even shiver.

The drive back to the PIT was fast pace and quiet. Everyone was sitting in their seats and looking at the floor as Breaker kept trying to raise someone back at the PIT so they could get inside. "I can't get anything" he replied with his French-Moroccan accent pronounced as he kept trying the emergency frequency.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

"Then we're on our own and in the dark." Scarlett said as she turned her head to look out her tinted window of the jet. "Start thinking like a Cobra boys. Where would you would go if you were Storm Shadow and had Sam?" She said nothing more after this and simply let her team sit silence as they thought on this. But now and again she would turn her head to watch Snake. As if she expected something to happen because he could no longer bottle certain emotions behind that stone wall of his.

When we got to the cabin, I flinched only lightly as I was pushed and ushered inside. Some way to handle a captive...whose injured! Withholding an annoyed groan at the Vipers, I simply tune Storm Shadow and snatch the nearest blanket on the couch that I pass by. Seating myself before the unlit fireplace, I struggle with just one hand to get it going. But once I have done so, somehow, I wrap myself carefully in the blanket and simply stare down the roaring flames that offered warmth and a moment of comfort. All I could do now was count down the seconds, the minutes, and hours that pass by for my teams heroic rescue. A rescue I am almost certain in resulting to another death. Only this time I hope that death is Storm Shadow. And permanently.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

When Scarlett imposed the question, I was stumped, but Snake seemed to know. After several moments of thinking he stood up in the back and moved towards the cockpit and did his sign language to the pilot then tapped something on his small wrist computer.

"Think the ninja is on to something?" Rip leaned in to speak to Duke. Sure enough in a couple of moments the aircraft began a slow banking turn to the right. Jerking his head left and right then going to one of the windows Rip could see that we weren't heading towards the PIT. "What gives?" he called out.

"He's changed our course," Duke replied, "We're heading East."

"What for?" Rip replied, "We're suppose to head to the PIT and help the others."

"Situation's changed," Duke replied, "Like it or not, the ninja has us on the right trail. We need to get Sam back as quickly as possible before Cobra can do anything to her." It was hard to accept but eventually Rip sat down. Snake went back to his seat in the back, sat down, and began mediating. In his mind he was trying to home in on Storm Shadow. The two shared a link, though it wasn't always great, as sword brothers they had learned to communicate in many ways. If he could tap back into Storm Shadow's mind he could find Sam.

Watching his prisoner Storm Shadow moved towards the far end of the cabin, sat down, and began meditating himself to clear his mind. Outside the vipers were setting up the perimeter, but the white ninja knew that they would all be dead. Snake Eyes could easily tear through them, they were just there to be a meat shield. He looked at Sam as she wrapped herself up in a blanket beside the fire. Sam meant nothing to her, just a piece of bait to get Snake alone from the others for their duel.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

I would spare Storm a glance once I knew his eyes would be closed and I glared. I hated him. I hated him and wished him dead something awful. I normally didn't such a thing on anyone. Turning back around, I laid down on my good side and wrapped the blanket tighter around myself as I decided to just try and rest. Snake...please help me...I'm so scared... I thought to myself as I started to fall asleep.

Scarlett watched as Snake got their plane turned around and onto a different course. Arching a brow as she listened to the others she turns in her chair to face him. "Whats up, Snake? You got an idea of where to find Sam?" She asks. Feeling hopeful that his answer would be positive.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Sitting down in his chair and looking up Snake knew all eyes were on him. There was something about him that just knew, a invisible connection either with Sam or with Storm Shadow but his instincts were telling them where to go. Using his sign language he spelled out, "Hard to explain. But, I have a feeling. Trust me. Pilot is on the course. He will set down close to the Colorado border and we will go the rest of the way by foot."

"Colorado?" Rip exclaimed and shook his head, "Its going to be damn cold out there. Going to shrink our nuts off."

Going through the supply bins Duke found some winter gear and threw a fur lined jacket, "Here ya go, ya big baby" he mused then gave jackets to everyone else. Putting on my jacket I looked at Scarlett as she put hers on. Gone from a sabotage operation to a rescue and I was eager, checking my weapon again as Breaker continued to monitor the radio waves.

Breaker said, "I picked up a message from Las Vegas. They are reporting the explosion at the target. So far they are saying it was an accident but an investigation is underway."

"They're going to be hard up to find evidence" Duke chuckled, Snake covered our tracks." With that, the black ninja gave a thumbs up.

It wasn't so easy for those in the PIT. General Hawk was going through the wreckage that was the command and control center. He knew that many of his precious Joes are dead and that Sam was missing, and many more were wounded. Laying on a stretcher was the battered and bleeding Dial Tone. The hard General had a permenant scowl on his face as he went through and found a handful of Joes trying to get the comms back online, but it was working on sparingly. "Report" the General said and one of them broke away and stood at attention before him.

"The raiding party has detoured, sir" the battered Joe said.

"What?"

"We received a message from the plane. All are on board and safe, but they're going on another mission. They said they're on the trail of Sam."

With Storm Shadow he was in mediation, clearing his mind for the battle. There was no point in belittling or torturing Sam. He knew Snake would come and didnt want to pointlessly waste his strength.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

The raiding party had been turned around to head to Colorado. Winter coats were passed around to keep everyone warm. Scarlett would set a coat beside Snake as the other boys looked over their weapons and made sure they were fully locked and loaded. Breaker was still trying to get in touch with base and Heavy Duty looked ready to hit something. Shame really that he couldn't. At least not right now. For the moment, it didn't seem like anyone was paying her anymind. "Tell me Snake. Who is it you're going for more?" She asked. Narrowing her eyes a little as she turned and faced the ninja. "Storm Shadow or Sam?"

Dial Tone would groan and open her eyes. "S-Sir....just there. S-Sam dropped something....just there...." She flinched as she lifts her arm slowly and points to the wrist communicator.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

The General looked to where Dial Tone was pointing and picked up the wrist communicator and looked at it closely. It still worked. It belonged to Sam and on it was some of her typing. It could send text messages and she had people's names logged in and one of them was a message to Snake that she was typing, but didn't send, "Snake. It's Storm Shadow. They're taking me. It's a trap" curling his lips and growling Hawk ordered the comms to be restored and inform the raiding party of their upcoming predicament.

Snake lifted his head slowly towards Scarlett and nodded with a sign of, "Never leave a man behind."

Nodding with a half smile Scarlett said, "Right" then looked over at me as I had wrapped myself in a jacket and looked over my weapon and put the safety on and sat down as we started to hit some turbulence from the cold winds from the mountains.

"We're five minutes out," Breaker replied but outside we couldn't see a thing as a flurry was kicking up.

Inside the cabin Storm Shadow's eyes slowly opened. He could sense that Snake was getting close. Drawing a deep breath and letting it out slowly he felt his heart start to slow, calming himself so that he could be as cold as the snow outside. He could see Sam still by the fire, but said nothing as he slowly wrapped his fingers around the handle of his blade.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

"Yes, sir!" Came the echoed response in the base. Surviving Joe's moved about the base working their asses off to get communications back up. Meanwhile, Dial Tone is taken to the med bay.

Scarlett was half pleased with the answer. He had danced around her question but she wasn't about to push Snake for an answer. Looking over to Lennox, she watched him wrap up in a jacket and check over his weapon as turbelance hit the plane. "Hell of a spot to keep a captive with this weather. We're going to be blind to ground movement up here and possibly worse once we land. Keep your eyes sharp. Kill all Cobra in sight." Scarlett said as she looked back to Snake Eyes. "Leave Storm and Shadow to Snake."

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Yoe Joe!" they all shouted except for me. I didn't feel that I earned the honor in being able to take up the cry yet. As the helicopter began to come in for a landing its rotors swirled up a flurry of snow and cleared it out. When the wheels touched down we all leapt into the snow and the helicopter lifted off. Moments after it left our eyes adjusted to the low light and we looked at Snake who began blazing a trail of his own and we all followed. We entered another clearing and there was the missing helicopter. It was empty and any paths Storm Shadow and his goons made had long been covered up by the weather.

"Sure wish we had Timber with us," Scarlett mused and Snake nodded, but he seemed to be on the trail of someone and we went further into the woods after Snake tapped out on his key pad, "Have landed with team. Found missing helicopter. On the path of Storm Shadow"

It wasn't long until we saw a glowing light in the dark. Taking a knee and looking through a pair of binoculars Scarlett whispered, "Yeah. Cobra alright. At least a dozen Vipers that I can see and they've set up a perimeter around the cabin."

"That's where Storm Shadow will be" Duke hissed as he looked through the binoculars. "I don't see Sam."

"Must be inside," Scarlett said, "Sure hope she's okay."

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

"I'm sure she's fine. This is Sam we're talking about. Even with a broken arm, the little shortie could put up a fight." Scarlett rolled her eyes at Rip's remark.
"Break off into teams. Cover the front and back exits. Snake...stay safe." She patted his shoulder and grabbed Lennox as Rip and Duke made their own way.

Meanwhile inside, the flow the team had seen was Sam's fire. But over the blizzard, even she heard the familiar engine sounds of a helicopter.

At first I thought I was imagining it and didn't draw any attention. But as I became more awake enough to realize it wasn't a dream, I scrambled off the floor and went over to the window. Trying to see out of it. "Why do you want Snake gone so badly? What did he ever do to you?" I asked, not bothering to turn to Storm Shadow.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

"Snake betrayed the Arashikage Clan," Storm Shadow said as he sheathed his sword and covered his face with his white mask. "He wasmy sword brother," emphasizing 'was' intently as he walked slowly towards the fire. Though the fire was intense and warm he didn't feel anything in his entire body. "We grew up together. We trained together. We did everything together, but the Hard Master chose him over me when it came to be leader of the Arashikage. I was the Hard Master's nephew," clenching his fist tightly, "It was my right as blood to be, but the Master chose him over me. Then, the Master was killed. His body had been pierced by a knife. He ran from me. He ran from the clan," clenching his fist tighter until it started to shake. "I hate him because he was chosen over me. That is all."

Moving through the snow Scarlett and I were together with Duke and Rip moving towards the back. We came down a slight slope and found protection behind some snow covered rocks. Taking a quick peek she counted eight Vipers standing around trying to keep warm.

 

[Kohana_Xavior19]

"I heard it was you who killed your Master...you were chased into the arms of another master, Storm Shadow." I said. Turning to face him. "You're hatred is the work of another. You were fed lies from the start!" With an unknown bravery, I walked over to him and pushed him with my good arm. "Think, damn it! The master you were chased to, betrayed you! You know him!! Think!!" I didn't know where this was coming from. Sure, I admit, I had done my homework on Storm Shadow during the nano missiles. And I had even asked Snake about him. I just didn't expect to learn what I had.

"Not even the Vipers can beat the cold. Okay. Let's take them out and give Snake an in. There's eight down there and four of us. That's four per two people. Be stealth about it. Move out!" She lowered the binoculars and sent Rip and Duke one way, while she and Lennox went another.

 

[guyloveshotstories]

Storm Shadow tried to think about. He wasn't intimidated by Sam, but her words made him think. It was hard. His simmering hatred for Snake constantly bubbled to the top that he shook his head and pushed Sam aside, "No! It is YOU who tells lies!" stabbing a finger at her. "My Master would never betray me. I am the rightful leader of the Arashikage..."

Bringing my weapon to bear I looked at the four Vipers that were standing closest to the cabin as Scarlett raised up her own slowly and counted her four. Four men. Be the first time I fired my weapon in anger at someone and then wondered what would happen afterwards. Rip and Duke radioed in, "In position in the rear. Got 'em all lined up."

Scarlett smirked, "Take them down" and fired. The shots came quick and fast. The Vipers went down like pins. Most didn't know what hit them.

Storm heard the fire and pushed Sam out of the way and drew his blade. At that moment the front door to the cabin was blown open and in came several marble size balls that bounced off the floor then erupted in smoke. Drawing his blade Storm Shadow readied for a fight, but he knew Snake well. He wasn't coming through the front door. His went up just as a hole was blown through the roof and down came the black ninja with his blade already drawn and their swords came together with a crash. Leaning in Storm Shadow smirked, "Hello again, brother."